How did Dumbledore get the Elder Wand?

Harry Potter has many storylines to explore, like the Elder Wand, a highly sought-after artifact by Voldemort that was in the possession of Albus Dumbledore. Here’s how Dumbledore got the Elder Wand.

Per the books and movies, Voldemort is in dire need of getting his hands on the Elder Wand in the hopes of defeating the Harry Potter. The Elder Wand has a dark and bloody history behind it as one of the Deathly Hallows. It was the first created by Death itself, alongside the Cloak of Invisibility and the Resurrection Stone.

The wand was made from the wood from an Elder tree and the tail hair of a Thestral. It was believed to be the most powerful wand in existence with magic only a few could master. In the Harry Potter movies, Albus Dumbledore is the owner of the wand.

But it comes with a few rules: The wand can only be used by its rightful owner, and it must be won or taken in battle. So, how did Dumbledore come into its possession?

Dumbledore gained the Elder Wand in battle

On November 2, 1945, Dumbledore confronted his old friend Gellert Grindelwald in a legendary duel and won, making him the new owner of the Elder Wand.

Warner Bros.

To dive into how Dumbledore became the owner of the Elder Wand, you must know a bit about the Fantastic Beast franchise. The movies go back in time and focus on a younger Dumbledore when Grindelwald started to rise in power as a dark wizard. Grindelwald was fueled with the desire to seek out the Deathly Hallows to use their power.

He had learned that Gregorovitch was the possible owner of the wand and was trying to replicate its powers. Sneaking into his home, Grindelwald stole the wand and used a stunning spell that was enough to make him the new owner of the Elder Wand. With the wand’s powers, Grindelwald rose in his evil plot.

After some time and being called out by his former friend, Dumbledore decided to confront Grindelwald. Known as a legendary duel between great wizards, Dumbledore was able to defeat Grindelwald. Per how the wand works, whoever defeats its owner in battle comes into its possession.

Dumbledore went on to use the wand for good for the next 40 years. It’s the wand seen in all the Harry Potter movies. But in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, Voldemort takes the wand from his grave after he’s killed by Snape. But when using it he realizes it’s not working at full potential.

It’s revealed that the real owner of the Elder Wand was Draco Malfoy by accident. When he tries to kill Dumbledore, he is able to disarm him of his wand, and thus becomes its new owner. Harry then overpowers Draco in a skirmish at Malfoy Manor and takes the wand to become its owner. He then destroys the wand for good a the end of the franchise.

The Harry Potter films are available on multiple streaming platforms, but you can also check out new movies premiering this month and a lineup of TV shows to watch.